Topic: Lte

A strategy for "off-the-grid" (OTG) living involves using a Microsoft Surface Go without LTE to force intentional internet usage. By making connectivity difficult through hotspots and dongles, the user reduces phone distraction. The hosts compare this to the experience of using open-standard Linux phones.

The relief bill contains a telecom section that includes funding for "enhanced Lifeline" phones and emergency broadband. A specific provision titled "Don't Break the T-Band" seeks to repeal the auction of certain radio frequencies. The hosts cite this as evidence of sloppy bill-drafting where lobbyist slogans were accidentally included as official headings.

A host described a privacy-focused "cloaked" iPhone 5 setup that uses the Security Pro app to block all outgoing pings to Silicon Valley data brokers. By stripping the phone of external apps and blocking Google and Facebook DNS requests, the device's battery life reportedly extends to five days. This "off the grid" (OTG) strategy is presented as a way to avoid surveillance and "red flag" data harvesting.

The Punkt MPO2, a minimalist Swiss-designed phone, is highlighted as a status symbol for those seeking to disconnect from "smartphone mania." The device focuses on calling and texting while providing an LTE hotspot for other devices. The hosts discuss the growing trend of "off the grid" (OTG) technology as a display of success.

A review of the Kyocera DuraXV LTE highlights its utility as a "pro-sanity" device that lacks the tracking infrastructure of modern smartphones. The military-grade flip phone is waterproof, features a basic HTML5 browser, and supports IMAP email without the distractions of a standard app ecosystem. It is praised for its durability, tactile buttons, and the "rage hang-up" capability provided by its physical clamshell design.

New European Union roaming agreements that went into effect on June 15, 2017, have eliminated additional costs for mobile data across member states. Travelers are advised to purchase local prepaid SIM cards rather than expensive international plans from carriers like T-Mobile. Testing in France and Italy confirmed that 5G and LTE speeds are now consistently available across borders using a single European SIM.

The performance of the iPhone 7 Plus is evaluated during a remote broadcast from an Airbnb. Observations regarding 10 megabit internet connections suggest that service providers may be using code to manipulate speed test results, a practice compared to historical cheating by graphics card manufacturers and the automobile industry. T-Mobile's extended reach LTE radios are noted for providing superior connectivity compared to Verizon MiFi devices.

The transition to the iPhone 7 is noted for its significant speed improvements and better radio support for T-Mobile's LTE frequencies. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook's stated goal to "kill cash" through Apple Pay is criticized as an attempt to position the company as a middleman in every transaction. The discussion also touched on the frustration of slow EMV chip card readers and the lack of actual security provided by the new payment standards.

The hosts trace the history of French telecommunications from the Minitel system to modern fiber and wireless networks. While wired ADSL connections in France are described as poor, the 4G LTE infrastructure is noted for its high speed. Curry praises a T-Mobile promotion that provided free, full-speed LTE access worldwide during July and August.

The evolution of travel technology is highlighted through the use of SiriusXM satellite radio and mobile data connections from Verizon and T-Mobile. Technical difficulties with a signal booster in New Mexico forced a reliance on an iPhone 6 tethered to a portable Wi-Fi router to maintain the podcast stream.

Advancements in remote broadcasting allow for high-quality transmissions using LTE backpacks and Yagi antennas. Adam Curry prepares for a tour in his Airstream, planning to broadcast from locations like Yellowstone and Colorado.

Technical preparations for the Airstream tour involve choosing Verizon LTE coverage over satellite options for internet connectivity. The setup will include a Yagi antenna and booster box to ensure the ability to prep the show and watch C-SPAN while traveling through state and national parks.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention. Curry describes staying in the West Wing of a suite provided by Sir David Foley after experiencing technical difficulties with hotel Wi-Fi. The hosts discuss the poor state of connectivity in modern hotels and Curry's reliance on a Verizon LTE connection to broadcast.

T-Mobile's international data roaming and tethering policies are analyzed during a remote broadcast. While the provider offers unlimited worldwide data, high-speed tethering for laptops requires separate data buckets that can reach costs of $50 for 20 gigabytes. The performance of LTE in New York City is noted as sufficient for high-quality audio transmission without significant latency.

The discussion shifts to net neutrality and the lack of competition in the broadband market caused by anti-competitive municipal deals. A systems administrator's perspective is shared, comparing bandwidth promises to state pensions that may never be fully realized. The hosts argue that LTE providers offer a viable alternative to traditional cable monopolies if consumers look past flat-pricing marketing.

The hosts discuss the possibility of "binary triggers" where a combination of psychotropic drugs and specific stimuli in video games could activate a person. They reference past instances of news reporters speaking gibberish on air as potential tests of this technology. They suggest that modern frequencies like LTE and 4G might be unintentionally interfering with human brain waves.

One of the hosts describes experiencing persistent musical "loops" in his head, starting with show jingles and progressing to Top 40 hits from the 1970s. This phenomenon began during a trip to Moab, Utah, leading to speculation that it could be a result of remote neural monitoring or a "warning shot" from the NSA. They discuss how writing the songs down seems to break the loop.

The NDAA includes a provision to review potential interference with national security GPS receivers caused by commercial communication services. This specifically addresses the ongoing conflict involving LightSquared and their LTE deployment, which has been accused of stepping over GPS frequencies. The bill mandates a determination of whether these commercial services cause harmful interference to military-grade positioning systems.

The hosts speculate that the government's opposition to the AT&T and T-Mobile merger is a setup to grant AT&T valuable 700 MHz spectrum via an executive order. They argue that AT&T, a major donor to the Obama administration, needs this spectrum to compete with Verizon's 4G LTE network, and the "emergency broadband" narrative will be used as the justification.

The federal government plans to auction 500 megahertz of airwave spectrum to reduce the deficit and provide a backbone for new business platforms. This initiative includes investment incentives and a Wireless Innovation Fund to provide seed money for scientists to develop faster, more secure networks. Critics argue that moving the nation toward wireless infrastructure allows the government to bypass net neutrality rules that apply to wired connections, facilitating easier surveillance and control.